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KEN GREENE IS leaving his position as president and CEO of AAHOA to begin a new job with Dallas-based IBF Hospitality. AAHOA already has begun searching for his replacement. Greene will leave on Feb. 11, according to a statement. He was brought on last year in June to replace Cecil Staton, AAHOA's former president and CEO when he left the association unexpectedly. "Ken has been instrumental in carrying AAHOA through the past several months, which brought on a lot of change both at AAHOA and in our industry," said AAHOA Chair Vinay Patel. "We're grateful for the time he's spent at AAHOA and wish him nothing but continued success as he transitions to another opportunity." While at AAHOA, Greene oversaw the association's return to in-person events, including the 2021 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas in August. He also helped in write AAHOA's strategic plan and helped restaff the organization after the departure of Staton, the association's executive vice president and COO Rachel Humphrey and others.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT of Justice will appeal the recent court ruling that overturned a federal mask mandate on public transportation. In response, the U.S. Travel Association said that the mandate is simply out of step with the current public health landscape. Last week, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa ruled that the CDC had overstepped its authority in issuing the mask mandate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked the DOJ to appeal the ruling. In a statement on April 20, the CDC said that an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health. CDC will continue to monitor public health conditions to determine whether such an order remains necessary, it added.

Michael DiMaria will be general manager of Vision Hospitality Group's Kinley Chattanooga Southside when it opens this spring in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Previously he was general manager at the company's TownePlace Suites and Residence Inn by Marriott in Nashville, Tennessee. DiMaria has received several awards, including the Marriott Gold Circle Award and Vision Hospitality Group General Manager of the Year. He has a bachelor's degree in hospitality services from Central Michigan University. "Kinley is more than just a lifestyle hotel - the inclusive nature is meant to foster relationships between guests and the city," said Mitch Patel, president and CEO of Vision Hospitality. "DiMaria is a forward thinking, hospitality-driven leader focused on delivering unparalleled experience to guests, making him a great fit for this position."

ASIAN HOSPITALITY is owned by Asian Media Group USA, whose parent company is based in London. Check out at our website for hospitality news . Get the digital issue of Asian Hospitality December/January edition and updated with all hotel and hospitality news. If you miss any updates then dont worry. Here you find all the latest hospitality news USA. So subscribe it now without delay.

THE U.S. GENERAL Services Administration recently announced the per diem rate for lodging for government employees in the continental U.S., and it was good news for hotels. The GSA increased the standard CONUS per diem rate for fiscal year 2023 and set all non-standard area rates at or above the fiscal year 2022 rates. The standard CONUS lodging rate rose from $96 to $98, according to the GSA's statement. The meals and incidental expenses per diem tiers for the fiscal year are unchanged at $59 to $79, with the standard M&IE rate unchanged at $59. There are no new NSA locations this year, and three locations that were NSAs or part of an established NSA in fiscal year 2022 will move into the standard CONUS rate category. They are Cromwell and Old Saybrook, Connecticut, in Middlesex County; El Paso, Texas, in El Paso County; and Rock Springs, Wyoming, in Sweetwater County.

U.S. TRAVELERS SAID that gas prices and inflation will impact their summer travel decisions more than COVID-19 concerns, according to a survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The survey, conducted by Morning Consult and released just ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend ending May 30, revealed that more than half of the respondents, 57 percent, are likely to take fewer leisure trips and 54 percent will take shorter trips due to current gas prices. The majority of people surveyed, 82 percent, said that gas prices will have at least some impact on their travel destinations.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Front Royal Blue Ridge Shadows & Golf Course is now open in Front Royal, Virginia. The hotel, recently converted from the Holiday Inn Front Royal, is owned by Navika Group of Companies and managed by Blue Sky Hospitality Solutions Management Co. Real estate company Navika Group and Blue Sky management company both are led by Naveen Shah as president and CEO. Also, Haridas Kotahwala is chairman at Navika Group. The 124-room DoubleTree recently completed phase one of the multi-million conversion and features a new lobby, front desk and lobby level and guest room corridors. Additionally, all guest rooms were outfitted with digital key locks and received new mattresses and SMART TVs.

EXTENDED STAY AMERICA is continuing its support for The American Cancer Society with a new video series. The series will focus on ESA's Hotel Keys of Hope program that provides free and discounted rooms for cancer patients and their caregivers. The "Stay Stories" video series will feature the stories of families who have to travel for cancer treatment, such as Candace Bennik, the subject of the first video who traveled from her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Houston for treatment for stage four lung cancer. "One of ESA's core values is to put people first and care for our community, a sentiment that is demonstrated through our support of the ACS," said ESA's Director of Creative Services Holly Hester. "As part of this partnership, our goal is to help patients and their families overcome the financial stress of travelling for treatment and gain access to the care they need. We are honored to share their incredible stories."

C.J. Chapman is the new general counsel of Denver-based hotel operator and developer Stonebridge Cos. Chapman, who has nearly two decades of experience, will provide in-house legal advice for Stonebridge and also oversee the firm's risk management group, a statement said. A Denver native, Chapman also will become a shareholder in Stonebridge, according to the company. Previously, he served as general counsel to Elevation Capital, a venture fund based in Vancouver, Canada. "I am excited to have C.J. join our team. His breadth of experience and knowledge is a welcomed addition to Stonebridge," said Tom Brinkman, president and chief operating officer of Stonebridge. "C.J.'s professionalism, broad experience in the commercial real estate sector and commitment to excellence is a perfect fit for the team and culture here at Stonebridge."

THE U.S. SUPREME Court overturned a lower court ruling that found Grants Pass, Oregon's ban on outdoor sleeping on public lands violated the constitution's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. AAHOA expressed concerns over the ruling in the case that could push the homeless population into hotels. Previously, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court held that enforcing city ordinances banning outdoor sleeping did violate the Eighth Amendment's Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause "whenever the number of homeless individuals in a jurisdiction exceeds the number of 'practically available' shelter beds," according to the Supreme Court ruling. This led to several lawsuits against cities filed by homeless advocates, including one against Grants Pass that led a district court to file an injunction prohibiting the city from enforcing the ordinance. The Supreme Court overturned the district court's holding, saying the city's punishments for violations, including fines in first offenses and imprisonment for multiple violations, did not meet the Eighth Amendment's definitions of cruel and unusual. That ruling has an immediate impact on cities and counties in Oregon and other Western states, according to Oregon media.

Jobs Abroad, Work Abroad, International Jobs Online - Nowadays, people are having problems to be employed in a company that can give them the benefits they want. Well, we have good news for you! There are plenty of job opportunities for you in Axiom Telecom! The company was founded by Faisal Al Bannai, an Emirati entrepreneur. The mission of this prestigious enterprise is to endlessly innovate to be the best destination for their partners and customers. Their vision is to provide service for mobility products and solutions that improve the quality of life for their customers. The goal of this establishment is to revolutionize the industry.The company thinks that there is a better way to trade and distribute mobile devices and accessories, so they decided to modernize the trade industry.The company started to operate in the year of 1997.

China's food industry is rapidly changing. As its population continues to grow, foodservice operators have to meet new consumer demands as tastes are changing and becoming westernised, and new technology is being introduced to the foodservice industry.

TRAVEL INDUSTRY LEADERS are continuing their press of federal officials and the Biden Administration to end pre-departure testing for COVID-19 by vaccinated international air travelers bound for the U.S. This time they went directly to the White House. On May 24, representatives from the U.S. Travel Association and Airlines for America met at the White House to make their case that pre-departure testing is no longer required at this stage in the pandemic. USTA and other organizations have been lobbying the White House persistently for the past few months to take the step, and in May they sent a letter to White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha saying the requirement is discouraging international travelers. Roger Dow, USTA president and CEO, reiterated that point after last week's meeting.

The hotel industry is very responsive to market conditions and formulates policy accordingly. Discounts are regularly promoted on websites and can be available without it being a particularly unseasonable time of the year. Take a look!

There are many reasons for last minute bookings and the internet has made the hotels' job easier in fulfilling them. Experience has taught the industry that late bookings will occur regularly and it is ready.

The competitive hotel industry is conscious of the need to market itself efficiently. Accommodation is available in all price ranges in a variety of locations.

This year, the O2 Arena will again be the setting for a luminous night out for most of the greatest names in the field of music. Some of the nominees will be performing, together with many of the greatest talents in the industry.

MORE THAN 109 million people are expected to travel over the Christmas and New Year's holidays, most of them on the road as gas prices drop, according to AAA Travel. The COVID-19 Omicron variant is having an impact, primarily to lower gas prices. The number of travelers going 50 miles or more between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2 is a 34 percent increase from 2020, AAA said in its travel forecast. That extra 27.7 million people traveling brings this year's numbers to 92 percent of 2019 levels. "Americans who canceled their vacations in 2020 want to gather with family and friends for the holidays this year, although they will still be mindful of the pandemic and the new omicron variant," said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. "With vaccines widely available, conditions are much different, and many people feel a greater level of comfort with travel." As in years past, driving remains the most popular form of travel, with more than 100 million planning to get behind the wheel. More than 6 million people are expected to travel by air, while 3 million people are booking buses, trains and cruises.

AN ESTIMATED 54.6 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving, according to AAA Travel, 1.5 percent more than last year and 98 percent of pre-pandemic volumes. AAA is projecting this year will be the third busiest for Thanksgiving travel since AAA started tracking in 2000. Continuing a years-long trend, most travelers, nearly 49 million, will drive to their holiday destinations between Nov. 23 to 27, according to AAA. That number is up 0.4 percent from 2021 but still 2.5 percent below 2019 levels. "Families and friends are eager to spend time together this Thanksgiving, one of the busiest for travel in the past two decades," says Paula Twidale, AAA's Senior Vice President of Travel. "Plan ahead and pack your patience, whether you're driving or flying."

RISHI SUNAK MADE his first speech as Britain's prime minister on Tuesday (25), acknowledging the mistakes of his predecessor Liz Truss while vowing to fix the economy, lead with integrity and fulfil the promises of the Conservative Party's 2019 manifesto. Below are the highlights from Sunak's speech: ON THE ECONOMY "Our country is facing a profound economic crisis. The aftermath of Covid still lingers. Putin's war in Ukraine has destabilised energy markets and supply chains the world over." "I will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government's agenda. This will mean difficult decisions to come." MISTAKES WERE MADE "I want to pay tribute to my predecessor Liz Truss. She was not wrong to want to improve growth in this country. It is a noble aim. And I admired her restlessness to create change. "But some mistakes were made - not born of ill will, or bad intentions. Quite the opposite, in fact. But mistakes, nonetheless. And I have been elected as leader of my party and your prime minister, in part to fix them."